title: Pathogenesis of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis in a girl with the partial deletion of chromosome 6p.
abstract: Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) is a leading cause of the nephrotic syndrome and characterized by the sclerosing lesions that affect one or more segments of some glomeruli. We encountered a female patient with a partial deletion of chromosome 6p, who presented proteinuria at age 3 years. Detailed chromosomal analysis disclosed an interstitial deletion of 6p: del(6)(p22.1p22.3). No abnormality such as hydronephrosis or renal agenesis was disclosed by imaging, but FSGS was present in a renal biopsy specimen. The patient is currently 11 years old and shows mental retardation with mild deterioration in the renal function. To address the defective genes in the present patient, we carried out comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), showing that E2F3 on chromosome 6p is absent in this patient. E2F3, a member of the E2F family transcription factors, inhibits expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and induces apoptosis during vascular development. The deletion of E2F3 was also detected by employing a PCR method, suggesting that glomerular architecture had been compromised in this patient. Serum VEGF concentrations were elevated to 177 ± 21.4 pg/mL (upper limit of 33.3 pg/mL), when she was 6 years old, associated with the enhanced expression of VEGF in glomeruli. These findings suggest that the dysregulation of VEGF synthesis caused by the deletion of E2F3 may be associated with development of FSGS. In conclusion, among patients with idiopathic FSGS, an abnormality of E2F3 may exist on chromosome 6p. Therefore, one might consider chromosomal analyses in children with FSGS who have mental retardation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kinki University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Akane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Izu
authors.forename: Hidehiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yanagida
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugimoto
authors.forename: Shinsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakata
authors.forename: Norihisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Tsukasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takemura
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002896:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6; D055028:Comparative Genomic Hybridization; D050699:E2F3 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000235:genetics; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000235:genetics; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000235:genetics; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000235:genetics; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D050699:E2F3 Transcription Factor; C098319:E2F3 protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A